Chapter 212 - 212 If I cannot live on pride, then I must settle for love Part I

212 If I cannot live on pride, then I must settle for love Part I

It took Ouyang Mingxian almost two weeks to bring prisoners of war back from Da Chu. The people crowded both sides of the road to welcome him on a joyous occasion. Ouyang Feilong himself went to wait for his nephew in front of the palace gate with Empress Dowager Wei. Bai Yu was not allowed to come with him for fear of another assault.

Currently, the incident of them being attacked was not made clear, despite Ouyang Feilong having the ability to do so. He knew who was behind those men, yet he could do nothing. Empress Dowager Wei had no fear at all of being punished by her son. She knew well the weight of her identity in Ouyang Feilong’s life.

Even though the Black Dragon had given up on attaining his mother’s love, deep down, he still could not stop his yearning. That sliver of hope was what had nourished his heart all this time. Furthermore, he had the problem of the Wei family’s power, which he could not completely get rid of, as it would be a significant support to making Ouyang Mingxian a Taizi.

Bai Yu understood everything, and so she avoided mentioning the matter with Ouyang Feilong entirely. The Bai and Yue families’ power was putting Ouyang Feilong in a difficult seat without their meaning to.

“Your Majesty, a maid from Qin Wang Palace came to report that Second Consort Bai had fainted. She will not be able to come today.”

Bai Yu nodded. Slightly surprised, she thought for a brief moment before calmly speaking to Xiao Xi. “Send a royal doctor to Qin Wang Palace. Let her fully recover before coming to see bengong. As for the tonic, you go and bring it here yourself.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And you.” Bai Yu turned to Xiao Chang. “Send a palanquin to get Consort Dowager Bai. Bengong wishes to have a conversation with her.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

.....

When it came to the Wei family, Ouyang Feilong would naturally not be able to act freely. However, Bai Yu was not the same. She might not dole out punishment, but she still wanted to know why she was being targeted. Yue Huiling was already conducting a secret investigation for her; still, before learning about a servant’s mind, she must know their master’s thoughts.

And the person who was currently holding the Wei family’s power was none other than Empress Dowager Wei, who was once close to her.

“You can relax.” Despite being a consort dowager, Bai Xue had to show respect to Bai Yu to a degree. When she arrived, her manners had to align with palace tradition.

“Calling me here for a conversation… Does Your Majesty have any good news to share?” Bai Xue’s ability to maintain her calmness behind a fake smile was as impressive as usual.

“Bengong only wants to know about the living conditions of those little princes and princesses.”

Bai Yu chose to mention what they had talked about the last time they had met before leading into the real topic. Bai Xue smiled and answered, thanking her for improving their lives by frequently sending necessary items to them.

“You treat them quite well.” Bai Yu complimented her out of courtesy. They both knew Bai Xue was not a kind-hearted woman who would raise someone else’s children.

“As an unfortunate widow, this is the most I can do to help.”

“Unfortunate?”

Bai Xue revealed a mild smile. “Your Majesty, I am barren.”

“How is that possible?”

Bai Xue was not much younger than she was. She was healthy and had had magic since she was a child. How could she be infertile?

“In the first six months after I entered the palace, I was poisoned. Since then, I can no longer bear children.”

Could something like this happen to her sister? Why did the Bai family not know about it?!

“I cannot tell anyone, otherwise I might not be able to attain rank, Fei.” Bai Xue had learned much about the inner court.

It had not been one full year, yet she was seriously harmed. If someone knew, she would never have been appointed as consort Fei. And if the Bai family knew, she would become useless to the family. Perhaps they might send Bai Hua or Bai Yue instead to replace Bai Xue, who had lost her worth. How bitter was she? She could not seek justice for herself lest she risked exposing her secret and being thrown away by her family.

Bai Yu waved her hand, dismissing royal maids from the palace.

“Who did that to you?”

“Sister might be able to guess.” Bai Xue smiled. “Did you not call me here today to hear about Empress Dowager Wei’s wickedness?”

“So you’ll help me?”

Bai Xue lost the freedom of her maiden years because of Bai Yu and Yue Mei. Naturally, her half-sister would resent her all along. Still, Bai Yu had never thought that Bai Xue would become a bird trapped in a gilded cage, unable to produce offspring. The value of a woman in that era was determined by her ability to have children to elevate herself and her family.

That value was ripped away from Bai Xue as soon as she got married. How could forgiveness bloom from such pain?

“I will help you…” Bai Xue said calmly. “…But that doesn’t mean I’ll forgive you.”

Right now, there was only Bai Xue who could tell Bai Yu what Empress Dowager Wei was up to. She was the woman who had lived under the Empress Dowager’s thumb for many years. “Then what do you want?”

“That I will tell you later.”

“Then tell me everything you know.”

Bai Yu believed that what Bai Xue wanted right now was power. And she was ready to give it to her half-sister. It was not a problem for her; rather, it would be a good thing for the inner court to have an empress dowager and a consort dowager balancing each other’s power while she sat back and watched.

And this was one thing Bai Yu could do to repay a young woman who was widowed and childless.

Ever since she crossed into this world, Bai Yu never knew what kind of a person Bai Xue was. Her memory contained only suspicion and paranoia, which resulted in her sending her younger sister to the palace. That time when she visited Bai Xue, she picked on her and created quite a commotion. Lately, they had more opportunities to talk, and Bai Yu then learned that Bai Xue was not an ordinary woman. The royal palace had turned a snake into a viper.

Stories from the past about Empress Dowager Wei were recounted by Bai Xue. Events that happened on the surface and the truth beneath were obtained by her half-sister, who had utilized servants of the Bai family. Bai Xue was one of the reasons Yue Mei was quickly informed of the situation within the inner court.

One thing that surprised Bai Yu was that Empress Dowager Wei was behind the death of Empress Wei, causing Ouyang Mingxian to resent Empress Wang and seek power to exact revenge.

A motherless child was put under the close attention of his grandmother, Empress Dowager Wei. Her goal was to never give her phoenix throne to anyone. She could even harm a woman from the same family and use her own grandson as a pawn.

Because Ouyang Hongxian and his father knew this, there was then an attempt to lessen the Wei family’s power by using Ouyang Feilong’s birth as an excuse. They also sent Ouyang Feilong far away from the cruel woman.

At first, Bai Yu thought that Ouyang Feilong was hated because he resembled the former emperor, who was a cut sleeve. Now she knew that Empress Dowager Wei never loved anyone and never treated anyone, other than herself, well.

Bai Yu spoke with Bai Xue for so long that it surprised her. She never expected herself to join hands with this woman to go against the woman who had once supported her. Today, Bai Yu was impressed by Bai Xue’s analysis of Empress Dowager Wei’s thoughts and plans.

She was an inexperienced empress when compared to the young consort dowager in front of her.

“Your Majesty, Qin Wang, Qin Wang Fei, and Second Consort Bai requested an audience.”

“Let them enter.”

Bai Xue moved to sit next to Bai Yu, as her rank dictated. The grave conversation was hidden behind the small smiles of the two Bai women who held significant power within the inner court.

Bai Hua came in with Ouyang Mingxian and Chu Jiaoxin, her face was slightly pale. Her peach blossom eyes gazed at her half-sisters, then a thought sprang into her mind… Right now, these two women were greatly similar.

One was so beautiful that her appearance could perfectly hide her wickedness.

The other was so calm that she could not find a trace of wickedness in her.

She had heard that Bai Yu and Bai Xue were not quite on good terms. Bai Yu’s playing tricks on the other person a while ago was already proof enough. Yet why were they sitting side-by-side today? Were her sisters planning something?

“Congratulations to you.”

Bai Yu said after they had greeted her and Bai Xue. Ouyang Mingxian seemed to be slightly thinner, though his fierce handsomeness was the same. The usual coldness in his eyes was mixed with pride. Ever since this man got married, Bai Yu had never had an opportunity to talk casually with him like this.

“Qin Wang has brought honor to Da Yang. It has been quite a journey for him to travel. You must take good care of him…” Bai Yu turned to speak to Chu Jiaoxin, who was beside him, while Bai Hua was slightly behind. “…Bengong has some fragrant incense that can help with tiredness and fatigue. Why not bring some back with you?”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Chu Jiaoxin replied with a small smile.

“Thank you, Aunt Empress” Ouyang Mingxian’s cold voice was a constant factor in every conversation he had with her. “Ming-er has been away from home for some time. Now that I have returned home, I came to pay respect and offer blessings. Hope Aunt Empress doesn’t mind my lateness.”

“Bengong doesn’t mind at all.” Bai Yu smiled at his courteous words and actions in visiting her today. “While you’re away, bengong has ordered your second consort around so much that she fell ill. You should be the one to criticize bengong.”

“I do not dare.”

“I do not dare.”

Two spouses who were mentioned by Bai Yu gave a humble reply at the same time. Bai Yu laughed softly to lessen the mood and prevent her words from being taken seriously. “Then bengong shall have to borrow your second consort. She can come here every now and then, not every day like before.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Bai Hua curtsied as she said her thanks. However, Ouyang Mingxian was still silent.

Bai Yu arched an eyebrow as she stared back at the sharp eyes that were looking straight at her. Previously, he was angry at her when she bestowed on him a double marriage. How could Bai Yu not know the reason behind him avoiding meeting her?

“Many thanks to Aunt Empress for giving me kindness.”

Not because of the fragrant incense. Not because of Bai Hua. But because she had agreed to Ouyang Feilong’s plan to make him a Taizi.

“You’re exaggerating.” Bai Yu put her hand on her stomach. “Taking care of you is part of bengong’s duty.”

After that, the aunt and nephew did not talk further. Bai Yu told Ouyang Mingxian to bring Chu Jiaoxin to greet Empress Dowager Wei while she held Bai Hua back. Ouyang Mingxian understood the reason, and so he left without suspicion.

Bai Xue waited until everyone had left before excusing herself, all without speaking with Bai Hua at all. It had been their normal behavior ever since they had lived in Bai Mansion.

“It’s almost four months. Is Your Majesty really not going to tell anyone?”